Mysteriet kring Karl XI:s namnchiffer från Läckö slott

Abstract

A royal cypher from Läckö castle is stored in the Department of conservation at The University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The cypher did not have much information around it when the investigation started. That all changed when this thesis took place. The purpose is to put the cypher in a context that will increase its cultural historical value, but also to provide Läckö castle with recommendations for the long-term storage of it. The method that was used for pigment analysis was XRF. Tracing the wooden surface for tool-marks and annual rings was to show the craftmanship and the properties of the wood. Literature study has also provided information about the cypher’s background, materials, and the history of its surroundings. Charcoal rubbing was also used as a method on the cypher to give a clear view of the tool-marks. 3D-modelling was used to easier show different areas on the cypher. SEM was used as a wood-identification analysis. The results suggest possibilities that the royal cypher was placed on the gatehouse because the king visited the castle in the year of 1687. The analyses show that the cypher has been overpainted more than once and that it was also gilded at some time in the history. The chosen materials and craftsmanship show that it was an experienced person. One conclusion for this thesis is that the wood clearly shows how important it is to store this kind of object in a stable and controlled environment. The degradation of wood is not only aesthetically unattractive and structurally compromising but most importantly it erases information about its material and how it was made. This thesis also shows how an object can gain historical and cultural historical value by unveiling new information.